First entering the musical arena with his Billboard Award-nominated debut, Aqui Conmigo, Andy Andy delivered a follow-up, Necesito un Amor, that spun off two hits, the title track and “Voy A Tener Que Olividarte,” and was honored with a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Tropical Album. His third release, Ironia, introduced the artist as the creator of his own record label, Wepa Music, in conjunction with UBO (Urban Box Office). Earning three 2006 Billboard Latin Award nominations, all 14 tracks were co-produced by the singer and paired with a companion documentary DVD. The first single from the release, “Que Ironia,” was mixed in three separate versions: bachata, ballad and reggaetón.

With his fourth and latest studio album, Tu Me Haces Falta (EMI Televisa Music), Andy Andy unveils the emotional power of the ballad. Two of his co-writes, “Vida” and “Ay Amor,” reveal his command as a songwriter and composer and he avows that the birth of his son has provided a new perspective. With his latest CD available for the first time in Mexico and Europe, and a home base in the U.S., Andy Andy’s ambitious artistry connects the tropics to the world.

More than a musical experience, Taxi Amarillo is also the vehicle that has brought together two incredible talents from opposite sides of the spectrum for the same ride. Born in the Dominican Republic, 23-year-old Pedro Cruz Montesino, better known as Cruzmonty, has gained fame as one of the country’s fastest rising pop stars. In 2002, after years of forming part of various musical acts such as On Stage, 5ynko and Código Postal, Cruzmonty decided to take the reigns of his career and step out as a soloist. By 2005, not only had the ambitious singer/songwriter released Yo Sabré Perder, his first solo venture, but he had also packed his bags and made his way to New York City, determined to make his mark on the scene, yet unaware of the new path his career was about to take.

While Cruzmonty captivated audiences with his soothing voice and expressive lyrics, it was 21-year-old Christopher Hierro’s writing and producing skills behind the scenes that made a powerful impression. As the son of famed merengue artist Henry Hierro (lead member of the legendary group La Gran Manzana) and singer Lucia Guzman, Chris is music royalty. The skills Chris developed while growing up and the musical circle he belonged to allowed him to write and produce for noted artists such as Los Toros Band and Andy Andy, and also sing back-up for Obie Bermudez and Jerry Rivera, but this talented artist wanted more. Determined to make an impact in his own right, Chris began doing his own showcases with his own music throughout many New York City venues.

It is at this point that fate had its hand in bringing Cruzmonty and Chris Hierro together. One night as Chris performed at Mirage, a popular nightclub in the Bronx, Cruzmonty sat with his manager in the audience completely taken away with what he heard and amazed at how much he could relate to Chris’ musical style. Within minutes, Cruzmonty’s manager arranged to get his artist onstage for a duo with Chris and what happened next was perfect musical chemistry. Once offstage, the two soon became inseparable, endlessly collaborating back and forth on lyrics and melodies over the next few months. 

What bonds these two artists together are not only shared musical influences such as Sin Bandera, Boyz II Men and Stevie Wonder, but more importantly, the same passion for bringing forth true sentiment in music instead of following the manufactured formulas of today. “As a musician,” Chris notes, “I have concerns about music. Cruzmonty and I make music naturally, it’s our truth.”

And that truth is that two distinct artists can come together, bringing with them their individual prospective and style of music to form something much bigger. Together as Taxi Amarillo, Cruzmonty and Chris Hierro accomplish their goal of creating a journey of sound and sentiment by blending together into pop ballads their penchant for r&b, rock and Latin rhythms. “We are Taxi Amarillo,” says Chris, “two halves that have come together to take a ride to the same destination.”

“We’re about expressing ourselves and evoking emotion” adds Cruzmonty.

That sense of expression and ability to stir the soul is being honed into their self-titled debut album. Taxi Amarillo’s collaborative writing and production endeavor has borne fruit in the form of a 12-track journey that delivers truth and emotion.

With lyrics that will move you, voices that will elevate you and a style that will blow you away, one thing is for sure, you will never be the same once you go on a ride with Taxi Amarillo.

Shakira	Juanes	Los Horóscopos De Durangos

Fellow Colombian rocker Juanes and nuevo bachata artist Andy Andy both picked up three awards, with Juanes wearing the Songwriter of the Year crown, a title he also earned at this year's BMI Latin Awards ceremony.

Luny Tunes	Andy Andy

Los Horóscopos De Durango's two wins included Regional Mexican Album of the Year for Y Seguimos Con Duranguense!!! and Regional Mexican Airplay Song of the Year for the album's single, "Si La Quieres."

Reggaetón production duo Luny Tunes was named Producer of the Year, marking the first time a producer in that genre has won the prestigious title. Luny Tunes produced and wrote "Mayor Que Yo" performed by BMI artists Baby Ranks, Tonny Tun Tun, Wisin y Yandel and Hector "El Father," which also won the newly created Reggaetón Song of the Year award.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards, which honor the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music on the Billboard charts, are part of the annual Billboard Latin Music Conference, held April 24-27 in Miami's South Beach.

BMI's 2006 Billboard Latin Music Awards winners:

Hot Latin Song of the Year
"La Tortura"
Shakira

Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Duet
"La Tortura"
Shakira

Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year
Juanes

Latin Pop Album of the Year, Male
En La Luna
Reyli (SACM)

Latin Pop Album of the Year, Female
Fijacion Oral Vol. 1
Shakira

Latin Rock/Alternative Album of the Year
Consejo
La Secta AllStar

Tropical Album of the Year, Male
Ironía
Andy Andy

Tropical Album of the Year, New Artist
Ironía
Andy Andy

Regional Mexican Album of the Year, Male Duo or Group
Y Sigue La Mata Dando
Grupo Montez De Durango

Regional Mexican Album of the Year, Female Group or Female Solo Artist
Y Seguimos Con Duranguense!!!
Los Horóscopos De Durango

Latin Pop Airplay Song of the Year, Male
"La Camisa Negra"
Juanes

Latin Pop Airplay Song of the Year, Duo or Group
"La Tortura"
Shakira

Tropical Airplay Song of the Year, Male
"Que Ironía"
Andy Andy

Tropical Airplay Song of the Year, Duo or Group
"Ella Y Yo"
Featuring Don Omar

Regional Mexican Airplay Song of the Year, Male Group
"Eres Divina"
Patrulla 81

Regional Mexican Airplay Song of the Year, Female Group or Female Solo Artist
"Si La Quieres"
Los Horóscopos De Durango

Latin Tour of the Year
Luis Miguel

Reggaeton Song of the Year
"Mayor Que Yo"
Baby Ranks, Tonny Tun Tun, Wisin y Yandel, Hector "El Father"

Latin Ringtone of the Year
"La Tortura"
Shakira

Latin Dance Club Play Track of the Year
"I Don't Care/Que Más Da (Dance Remixes)"
Ricky Martin featuring Fat Joe

Latin Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year
"Kickin' It...Juntos"
Akwid

Latin Christian/Gospel Album of the Year
Dios Es Bueno
Marcos Witt

Songwriter of the Year
Juanes

Producer of the Year
Luny Tunes

Publisher of the Year
EMI Blackwood
]]> 2006-05-02T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234131 Artists, Aguilar, Pepe, Akwid, Andy Andy, Conjunto Primavera, Control Machete, Dunbar, Huey, Estefan, Emilio, Kinky, Krys, Sebastian, La Tropa F, Los Tigres del Norte, Miguel, Luis, Molotov, Osorio, Fernando, Ozomatli, Quintero, Mario, Rivera, Lupillo, Santaolalla, Gustavo, Shur, Itaal, Soraya, Musical Styles, Jazz, Latin, Rock 5th Annual Latin Grammy Awards with five nods, it was announced recently at a press conference in Los Angeles. The ceremony, set for Sept. 1 at LA's Shrine Auditorium, will be broadcast live on CBS from 8-10pm ET/PT and hosted by George Lopez.

Café Tacuba	Robi Draco Rosa

Del Real, keyboardist/songwriter of rock en espa�ol band Caf� Tacuba, earned five nominations including three as part of Caf� Tacuba (Album of the Year and Best Alternative Album for Cuatro Caminos, and Best Music Video for "Eres") and two as a songwriter for "Eres," up for Song of the Year and Best Rock Song.

Akwid	Albita

Cuban piano master Bebo Vald�s earned four nominations including Album of the Year and Best Traditional Tropical Album for his collaborative effort, L�grimas Negras, while the album's title track earned a Record of the Year nod. The octogenarian also received a nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album for We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together.

Molotov

Songwriter/artist/producer Robi Draco Rosa took home three mentions, while Mexican hip-hop brothers Akwid, Cuban singwr/songwriter Albita and Latin Grammy Award-winning producer/songwriter Gustavo Santaolalla each earned two. Molotov bassist/vocalist Miguel "Mickey" Huidobro also got two nominations for the smash "Hit Me," one as a songwriter for Best Rock Song and another with the band for Best Video.

Other BMI-affiliated Latin stars on the nominees list included Conjunto Primavera, Kinky, Los Tigres del Norte, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Mauricio & Palodeagua, Ozomatli, Soraya and Tanghetto.

BMI's 2004 Latin Grammy Nominees

5 Nominations
Emmanuel Del Real

4 Nominations
Bebo Vald�s

3 Nominations
Robi Draco Rosa
Caf� Tacuba

2 Nominations
Akwid
Albita
Miguel Huidobro
Gustavo Santaolalla

Other Nominees
Mario Adnet
Pepe Aguilar
Alejandro Allen
Andy Andy
Area 305
Ram�n Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte
Banda El Recodo de Cruz Liz�rraga
Jose Cantoral (SACM)
Conjunto Primavera
Control Machete (SACM)
DJ Kane
Huey Dunbar
Emilio Estefan, Jr.
Jimmy Gonz�lez y Grupo Mazz
Paulo Jobim
An�bal Kerpel
Kinky
Sebastian Krys
Mario Quintero Lara
Limi-T 21
Little Joe & La Familia
Los Tigres del Norte
Ricky Martin
Freddie Martinez
Roberto Mart�nez
Mauricio & Palodeagua
Luis Miguel
Molotov
Fernando Osorio
Ozomatli
Plastilina Mosh
Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto
Lupillo Rivera
Al Schmitt
Jose Serebrier
Itaal Shur
Joyce Silveira Palhan De Jesus
Soraya
Superlitio
Tanghetto
La Tropa F
Andrew Weiss